Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-01-13

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. 1857.

WASHlHGTOhs jan. IUs 1901.
Messrs. Editors That the Nation
al Capital is justly entitled TO the
reputation which it has acquired as
the great social center Of the country
can nc longer be doubted. No other
city can boast the brilliant entertain
ments, dinners, card parties and re.
ception.. which crowd upon one an
other in such a bewilderng variety
and number - to render it quite i'm
possible for a person to attend one
half of them assuming Of course that
he were so fortunate as to receive in
vitations,) for society entertainments
in Washington are above all things
select"
The week following the holidays
usually marks the height of the sea-
son, and the past week has by no
means been sn exception TO the rule.
The reception al the White House was
a.brilliant affair. The day was aus
picious, and es usual on such occasions
the society people were there, as were
also the various representatives Of
foreign countries residing within con-
venient distance from Washington,
for no foreign minister would for q
moment think Of disregarding cus-
tom which requires that he should
pay his respects to the President upon
New Years day. Although Mr.. Cleve-
land had not entirely recovered from
his recent illness, he endured the
somewhat trying ordeal Of shaking
hands with several hundred who were
go fortunate as to be able to crowd
their way into the East Room during
the hour which had been set apart
for the reception of the general pub
lie.
Minister West gave an elegant re-
ceptiou at the British Legation, on
Wednesday evening. to celebrate the
debut of his daughter into society.
All OF the official dignitsriss OF this
country, aud full representation of
the diplomatic corps, were present, in
addition to the leading social lights
OF the city.
The old circuit court chamber has,
during the past few days, become very
attractive, especially for thu ladies.
The magnet of attraction has been the
taking of testimony in the inquiry that
has been instituted as to the mental
condition OF Mrs. Emmons. who Gre
Gted such = sensation in London re.
Gently by her eccentricities. Much
astonishment was manifested when
the line of defense was found to be
that Prof. Emmons he'd been unfa'th-
full, and that, because his wife had
discovered it, he prosecuted her with
the charge of insanity. There seems
to be a wide diversity of opinion, both
among Mrs. Emmons' friends and also
among the medical experts, as to her
sanity. DR.. GOdding. the superinten-
dent of the National Hospital for the
Insane in this city, insists that the
lady is not in the least insane, but
somewhat eccentric. In this opinion
he is confirmed by several Of the lead
ing medical men of the country, while
an equal number of CT perts have tes-
tilted that in their opinion size is in
sane and should be confined in an
asylum. One of the jurors, before
whom the inquiry is being conducted,
was the foreman of the jury which
conducted similar investigation in
the case OF Guiteau, and several Of
the expert witnesses also testified in
that case.
On Thursday last the Senate passed
bill granting to Mrs. Logan a pen
sion of $1,000 year. Although the
day was not originally intended to be
the occasion of eulogies upon General
Logan, there were several brief but
interesting tributes paid to his memory
during the consideration of the bill.
The President appears to have en-
tirely recovered his old-time visor,
and his lameness has left him. He
Lss renewed his custom of receiving
Senators and Members calling upon
business of importance before one
o'clock in the afternoou. lie has dis
posed Of the business laid over during
his illness. and will doubtless soon
catch up with his current work.
Fl.